South-Mar Neighborhood Association

MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 2008MEETING

MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER MEETING

SOMAR South Mar Vista Neighborhood Association Minutes
September 11, 2008


President Steve Wallace called meeting to order at 6:25 P.M.
9 people present.
Approval of minutes from July was tabled.

Treasurer’s Report-Christopher McKinnon stated that the current balance is $3,775.25
Membership is $15.00 per household. 18 people did not renew. Group is not non-profit, but people can donate. Special end of the year deal to recruit new people was proposed. Suggestion: Put applications in real estate letters.
Toy Drive Next meeting a motion will be made to donate $500.00.
Traffic- Linda Guagliano reported that at her meeting the following were discussed:
Widening driveway at the Post Office
Alley repaving in-between the Post Office and the library is still on hold
Enforcement of weight limit is still unresolved between Culver City and LA
Pilot program for RV and overnight parking, citizens are complaining that they are getting tickets
Residents living near the old location of LAFD #62 would like the signs and flashing light removed and the traffic light redesigned.
Funding available for a left-hand turn at Gateway and Ocean Park
Pedestrian light at Venice and Centinela is too short; guidelines are 4’ per second.
Safety and Security –Pat Karasick requested that cars be secured, with valuables stored out of sight.
Shakeout (www. ShakeOut.org) is a citywide earthquake with many levels of participation to be held November 13.
Ambassador program beginning contact mona.curry@lacity.org 213-473-9921
New CERT class at LAFD #5 8900 S. Emerson, Westchester contact WPDRNW@Yahoo.com
Graffiti camera will be installed at Grandview facing the Post Office; this should help with the dumping problem, also.
New Business
Gloria Halfacre reported that Beethoven School would be opening its Kinder Park to the community beginning September 13, 2008. Halloween will be celebrated October 25, 11A.M. -4 :00 P.M.
There will be a holiday boutique Saturday, November 22.
Habitat for Humanity is working with the school and the community. They are accepting applications for Mar Vista houses to fix and donations.

Alley Closure, Jim Davidson: Motion to be presented to City Council soon to waive fees.

Mar Vista Park is having a Fall Festival, October 4, 2008. Island theme is being featured.

Update on project at the corner of Washington and Marcasel: Michael Scaffee.
Developer presented in front of Urban Planning: project has been downsized to 5200’, 3 stories with a vertical fa?§ade. Culver City is vacating the sidewalk. 12/40 people responded to email opinion survey. Suggested door to door to reach people without email. Meeting with neighbors and CD #11 representative. Some people are in favor of making East one-way and or blocking Marcasel.
Action plan: Steve Wallace will design a flyer and send as an email. Timeline established by next weekend.
Later Day Saints Church is expanding parking to include a 3 story-parking garage.

Articles are needed for the newsletter to be submitted by October 1 for the fall edition.

Mormon Hill walking tour is being developed. Current Mar Vista tour is highly recommended.

List of members is outdated, will be updated in January.
Steve Wallace has been meeting with the businesses in hopes of forming a Business improvement District (BID). Rockers is going out of business. Candy Shoppe at corner of Venice and Beethoven will become a coffee ship. Parking after hours at the Post Office is researched.
Mar Vista Community Council passed a new budget. Beautification money is available, $3-5,000 grants. Funding of newsletters is still approved. MVCC wants to put on block club parties rather than funding them individually.
LAFD #62 removed plants on the east wall and damaged drip system.

Suggestion: Partner with LAFD #62 to put on a pancake breakfast. Toy Drive would be incorporated, patrons requested to bring an unwrapped present with them to the breakfast. Date to be determined.

Respectfully submitted,
Pat Karasick
Acting Secretary